Students of Storage

Cubby
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Technology
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to Students of Storage — the podcast that pulls back the curtain on the self-storage industry. This isn’t your typical business banter — it’s raw, real, and packed with insights from the movers and shakers who’ve built empires behind the roll-up doors. Join us as we sit down with CEOs, owners, and top third-party operators to dive deep into the wins, losses, and lessons that come with building lasting success in storage. From solving industry puzzles to revealing the strategies that move the needle, Students of Storage delivers inspiring stories, perspectives that challenge, and takeaways you can use immediately.

  1. Aug 3

    Learn It, Then Live It: How Community Gets You Your First Storage Deal with Chris Michaels of The Storage Rebellion

    Chris Michaels turned to self-storage in 2019 while broke and behind on bills, and closed his first wholesale deal about a week after he started. Today he leads The Storage Rebellion, the community he first joined as a beginner. In this episode he sits down with host Tully Hannan to talk about what it actually takes to buy your first facility in a market that is far more competitive than the one he started in. The core message is simple. Studying the business is not the same as doing the business, and the people around you are what move you from one to the other. Chris makes the case that you learn the fundamentals, then put them into practice by taking real action, and you do it faster when you are surrounded by other investors walking the same path. Chris is practical about how deals get found today. He walks through sourcing on Google Maps, TractIQ, listing sites, brokers, and even Facebook Marketplace, then explains why fewer, deeper relationships beat blasting hundreds of mailers. He also covers the conversations most new investors dread, the follow-up cadence that keeps you top of mind, and the deal-killers he looks for when he walks a property. If you have been consuming storage content for months without making a move, this conversation is a clear nudge toward action, plus a reminder that the right room can carry you further than any amount of solo research. Key Takeaways: (1:25) Broke to first deal in about seven days (8:44) Take action before you feel ready: escaping the information-overload trap (10:47) Find the deal first, and the money will follow (11:05) How to have seller conversations without selling yourself (14:37) The follow-up cadence that turns a "not now" into a future deal (17:36) Inside The Storage Rebellion's three groups and why community matters (22:15) The day-after-closing checklist for a new facility (26:32) Deal-killers to look for on a property walk: roof, water, drainage, access, security (31:58) Where to find deals today: Google Maps, TractIQ, brokers, and Facebook Marketplace (37:43) You rise to the level of your environment (40:19) Why 30 solid relationships beat 600 mailers  Resources Mentioned: The Storage Rebellion | Website https://thestoragerebellion.com Cubby | Website https://www.cubbystorage.com Thank you for listening to "Students of Storage." Be sure to leave us a 5-star review and subscribe so you don't miss an episode. #SelfStorage #SelfStorageInvesting #CubbyStorage #BusinessGrowth #StorageRebellion

    Learn It, Then Live It: How Community Gets You Your First Storage Deal with Chris Michaels of The Storage Rebellion

  2. Jul 20

    Earning the Keys: Winning Storage Owners Through Operational Excellence with JC Reed of All-Purpose Storage Management

    Owners do not hand over their facilities lightly. What earns that trust is not a pitch, it is operational excellence delivered every day by a team that follows through. In this episode JC Reed lays out how a third-party manager builds an operation owners want to stick with, from the systems that hold up at scale to the attention to detail that sophisticated owners notice. JC spent 12 years at Public Storage, rising to senior regional vice president over 80 to 100-plus locations across Washington, Hawaii, and Idaho. He later helped build the platform at Store Space, spent time at BlueGate Storage under Madison Capital Group, and now leads operations and revenue management at All-Purpose Storage, which has grown past 87 facilities as it expands into third-party management. He brings the operational discipline of a national REIT to a fast-moving, entrepreneurial team. This is a practical conversation for owners, operators, and managers. JC explains what makes Public Storage's execution so hard to replicate, why systems that run three stores fall apart at twenty, how he rebuilt a broken collections process, and how a remote-management model keeps unmanned sites looking as sharp as staffed ones. He is candid about what actually differentiates a manager over the long term: talent, care, follow-through, and living your core values. It is not just a number to his team, and that is why owners keep handing over the keys. Key Takeaways: (4:52) Why retail and franchise backgrounds build operators who can coach, develop, and hold a team accountable (12:43) The operational excellence JC saw at Public Storage and works to replicate: SOP discipline, ROI on every decision, and reliance on data (16:33) Why scaling breaks what works: systems that run three stores fall apart at twenty, and at eighty without real process (21:22) Rebuilding a broken collections and auction process from over 20% down to industry-leading, within state lien law (24:17) Revenue management as an operational discipline: ancillary income like solar, truck parking clubs, and protection plans (26:11) Know who you are: pricing to your facility's life cycle and position in the market (29:01) Testing and iterating on rate increases instead of guessing (31:41) What actually differentiates a third-party manager: talent, care, and follow-through (32:17) A remote-management model that keeps unmanned sites looking sharp, and onboarding that earns owner trust (34:46) Why technology and AI have become table stakes for operating at scale (39:21) JC's why: family, the people he works with, and the owners who entrust their assets Resources Mentioned: All-Purpose Storage Management | Website https://www.allpurposemanagement.com/ JC Reed | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jc-reed-74977518/ Cubby | Website https://www.cubbystorage.com Thank you for listening to "Students of Storage." Be sure to leave us a 5-star review and subscribe so you don't miss an episode. #SelfStorage #ThirdPartyManagement #CubbyStorage #BusinessGrowth

    Earning the Keys: Winning Storage Owners Through Operational Excellence with JC Reed of All-Purpose Storage Management

  3. Jul 6

    Grow Healthy, Not Just Big: Lessons From Scaling a Storage Management Company with Brett Copper of Copper Storage Management

    Brett Copper, partner and president of Copper Storage Management, joins Matt Engfer to share how he helped build one of the industry's first third-party remote management companies and what scaling it taught him about growing a business the right way. Brett grew up in self storage. He spent childhood summers auditing facilities with his father, worked at CubeSmart out of college, and ran feasibility studies and due diligence projects for years before launching Copper Storage Management in 2019. He saw that remote management was possible long before the software or the industry was ready for it. Then COVID hit, and Copper was one of the only management companies that could operate with no one in the office. The portfolio exploded to nearly 200 stores in a matter of months. In this episode, Brett is candid about what that breakneck growth cost him, why he deliberately shrank the business to around 120 stores, and how learning his true cost to operate turned Copper into a healthier, more profitable, and more resilient company. He also breaks down the trends that reshaped self-storage technology, the five things he looks for when evaluating a facility to add value, and why a diversified base of small owners protects the business better than a few large clients ever could. This is a practical conversation about disciplined growth, operations, and what it really takes to build a storage business that lasts. Key Takeaways: (0:00) Intro (3:06) Who Brett is and what Copper Storage Management does (5:10) Growing up in a self-storage family (9:01) The origin story of Copper Storage Management (15:22) COVID and the explosion to nearly 200 stores (17:50) Copper's remote and hybrid management model (19:40) What's next, and the cost of scaling too fast (24:08) How technology transformed self storage (30:49) Five things that make or break a storage deal (38:03) Why a diversified client base lowers risk Resources Mentioned: Copper Storage Management | Website https://copperstoragemanagement.com Brett Copper | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-copper-750672171/ Cubby | Website https://www.cubbystorage.com Thank you for listening to "Students of Storage." Be sure to leave us a 5-star review and subscribe so you don't miss an episode. #SelfStorage #StorageInvesting #Entrepreneurship #CubbyStorage #BusinessGrowth

    Grow Healthy, Not Just Big: Lessons From Scaling a Storage Management Company with Brett Copper of Copper Storage Management

  4. Apr 6

    From Oil Prices to Storage Units: Building a Business You Control with Karl Graham of Luminous Capital

    Karl Graham, Co-Founder of Luminous Capital, joins Matt Engfer to share his journey from oil and gas exploration to building a growing self-storage platform across the heartland. After spending a decade making high-stakes investment decisions in a volatile and capital-intensive industry, Karl realized he wanted something different. He wanted to build a business where execution, discipline, and team performance had a greater impact than external forces. That shift ultimately led him into self storage. In this episode, Karl walks through how Luminous Capital scaled from individual syndications to launching a fund, why geographic focus creates a real operational edge, and how disciplined underwriting and risk management have shaped their growth. He also shares how his team is leveraging data, marketing, and AI. This includes analyzing tens of thousands of customer calls to improve sales performance and building more advanced revenue management systems to stay competitive in today’s market. This conversation is a practical look at what it takes to build and operate a successful storage business today and why the days of easy storage are behind us. Key Takeaways: (0:00) Intro (2:19) Karl’s background in oil and gas and transition to self storage (13:34) Why he chose self storage over other real estate asset classes (24:12) Why geographic focus creates a competitive advantage (28:22) How Luminous operates remotely with local teams (33:20) How Luminous creates value for self-storage businesses in today’s market (36:33) Growing the Operation and Taking Next Steps (42:36) Using data and AI to improve operations and sales (49:10)  Revenue management, pricing strategies, and AI agents Resources Mentioned: Luminous Capital | Website https://www.luminouscapital.com Cubby | Website https://www.cubbystorage.com  Thank you for listening to “Students of Storage.” Be sure to leave us a 5-star review and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.

    From Oil Prices to Storage Units: Building a Business You Control with Karl Graham of Luminous Capital

  5. Jan 28

    The Real Legal Risks for Self-Storage Operators with Jeff Greenberger of Late2Lien

    Jeff Greenberger, a nationally recognized self-storage attorney and founder of Late2Lien, joins Matt Engfer to explain why lien enforcement isn’t dangerous—but getting it wrong absolutely is. With more than 30 years of experience serving the self-storage industry, Jeff walks through the real legal risks operators face when notices, timelines, disclosures, or documentation aren’t handled precisely. From evolving state statutes and California’s increasingly complex disclosure requirements to tenant tactics pulled straight from Reddit, this episode exposes how small operational missteps can quickly turn into lawsuits. Jeff also shares why “compliance is king,” how technology can remove human error from the lien process, and how Late2Lien was built to take responsibility off managers’ plates while protecting owners from liability. The conversation blends legal insight, real-world examples, and practical guidance that every operator—large or small—can apply immediately. Key Takeaways: (0:00) Intro (1:47) Jeff's story (4:56) Shaping the legal landscape of self-storage (7:52) Current legal issues Jeff’s clients are facing (11:12) Making sure clients are limiting risk and exposure to litigation (12:24) CA & PA Bills impacting rates and lien statutes (19:46) Reddit threads creating risk for self-storage owners: Credit Cards (22:31) Reddit threads about change of address scams (26:14) How does Late2Lien work? (33:28) Late2Lien helps avoid the sale (34:54) How Cubby and Late2Lien work together   Resources Mentioned: Late2Lien | Website https://www.late2lien.com Jeff Greenberger | Self Storage Law https://www.selfstoragelegal.com/ Cubby | Website https://www.cubbystorage.com Thank you for listening to “Students of Storage.” Be sure to leave us a 5-star review and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. #SelfStorage #SelfStorageLaw #StudentsOfStorage

    The Real Legal Risks for Self-Storage Operators with Jeff Greenberger of Late2Lien

  6. Jan 21

    From Reviews to Rentals: Turning Google Feedback into Real Growth with Kale Leavitt of StorageReach

    Kale Leavitt, CEO of StorageReach, joins Matt Engfer to break down why Google Reviews have become one of the most powerful—and most misunderstood—drivers of growth in self-storage. Drawing on nearly a decade of experience in storage marketing, Kale explains how reviews impact far more than reputation. From organic rankings and paid search performance to leasing velocity and customer trust, reviews now touch every part of the renter’s decision-making process. He shares what he learned while helping grow SEO services from zero to nearly 1,500 facilities, and how those lessons led to building StorageReach as a review-first platform designed specifically for self storage. In this episode, Kale walks through the mechanics behind quality, quantity, and consistency in review generation, why “spikes” hurt more than they help, and how automation allows operators to generate steady reviews without overwhelming tenants. The result is a practical, system-based approach to turning reviews into measurable business performance. Key Takeaways: (0:00) Intro (1:34) Kale's story (4:16) The beginning and growth of StorageReach (7:11) Marketing lessons learned from the early days (9:00) The MVP of StorageReach and getting Google reviews (11:41) Checking the boxes of getting reviews and seeing results (14:44) Effective ways to get positive review and avoid negative reviews (19:56) Working alongside Google (22:21) What’s next for StorageReach Resources Mentioned: Kale Leavitt | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kale-leavitt-9063488b/ StorageReach | Website https://storagereach.com Cubby | Website https://www.cubbystorage.com Thank you for listening to “Students of Storage.” Be sure to leave us a 5-star review and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.  #SelfStorageReviews #StorageMarketing #StudentsOfStorage

    From Reviews to Rentals: Turning Google Feedback into Real Growth with Kale Leavitt of StorageReach

  7. Jan 14

    Execution Wins: Scaling Up by Mastering the Basics

    Magen Smith, Co-Founder and CEO of Atomic Storage Group, joins Matt Engfer to share how disciplined execution, strong fundamentals, and a people-first mindset have fueled one of the fastest-growing third-party management companies in self storage. Magen walks through her unconventional path into the industry—from accounting and consulting to development and ultimately building Atomic Storage Group into a national platform. She explains why marketing is often the first indicator of operational health, which metrics truly matter in a property audit, and how consistent execution across marketing, operations, and customer experience creates long-term success. Rather than chasing shortcuts or shiny tools, this episode reinforces a simple truth: doing the basics well, every day, at scale is what separates average operators from great ones. Key Takeaways: (0:00) Intro (3:13) Magen's story (7:14) The metrics that matter in a property audit (9:23) How do you compete in today's market (10:18) Managing all aspects of the facility (12:37) Doing it well everyday - it's all about execution (15:34) Building an effective team (18:07) A diverse group of managed properties (19:16) The secret is, there is no secret - hard work and a great team make the difference (20:56) The growth and future of Atomic Storage Group and self storage (25:46) What's ahead for Cubby in 2026 Resources Mentioned: Magen Smith | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/magensmithcpa Atomic Storage Group | Website https://atomicstoragegroup.com Cubby | Website https://www.cubbystorage.com Thank you for listening to “Students of Storage.” Be sure to leave us a 5-star review and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. #SelfStorageManagement #StorageMarketing #StudentsOfStorage

    Execution Wins: Scaling Up by Mastering the Basics

  8. 12/03/2025

    Power and Responsibility: Staying Compliant in the Self-Storage Lien Process with Luke Shardlow and Scott Zucker

    Self-storage attorney Scott Zucker and Luke Shardlow, CEO of AI Lean, join host Matt Engfer for a deep dive into one of the most critical—and risky—parts of operating a storage facility: the lien process. Together, they discuss the legal responsibilities operators carry when enforcing tenant liens, why accuracy and documentation matter more than ever, and how technology can help reduce human error, avoid legal pitfalls, and keep operators fully compliant. Scott highlights the newest challenges around SCRA protection, bankruptcy filings, returned mail, and changing state laws, while Luke explains how AI Lean’s platform automates verification, mailing, tracking, and recordkeeping to protect operators at every step. Whether you’re a new operator or managing a large portfolio, this episode gives you the practical tools and insights you need to navigate liens with confidence—and avoid costly mistakes. Key Takeaways:(01:47) Speaker Introductions (09:14) Understanding SCRA compliance and military verification. (10:09) The Power and Responsibility the go along with the lien process (15:20) Technology considerations for staying SCRA compliant (19:30) How bankruptcy impacts the lien timeline. (21:28) Complications that come from deceased tenants (23:00) What operators should look for in a lien-processing partner (26:53) Don’t be afraid to cancel the sale (29:58) Solutions to avoiding a cancelled or illegal sale (36:00) Final lessons learned Resources Mentioned: Scott Zucker | Website https://wzlegal.com AI Lean | Website https://www.ailean.com Self Storage Legal Network https://www.selfstorage.org/Products-Services/Self-Storage-Legal-Network Cubby | Website https://www.cubbystorage.com Thank you for listening to the Cubby Podcast. Be sure to leave us a 5-star review and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. #SelfStorage #SelfStorageLienLaw #AILean #SelfStorageLegal #CubbyStorage #StorageOperations

    Power and Responsibility: Staying Compliant in the Self-Storage Lien Process with Luke Shardlow and Scott Zucker
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About

Welcome to Students of Storage — the podcast that pulls back the curtain on the self-storage industry. This isn’t your typical business banter — it’s raw, real, and packed with insights from the movers and shakers who’ve built empires behind the roll-up doors. Join us as we sit down with CEOs, owners, and top third-party operators to dive deep into the wins, losses, and lessons that come with building lasting success in storage. From solving industry puzzles to revealing the strategies that move the needle, Students of Storage delivers inspiring stories, perspectives that challenge, and takeaways you can use immediately.

Information

  • Creator
    Cubby
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025
  • Show Website
    Students of Storage

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